“Our pets rely on us entirely for their nutrition. We have more control over our pet’s diet than we do with our children or with ourselves.” ~ Alison Sweeney
A healthy pet is a fit pet. The problem is, not all pet food products are created equal, and each pet has his or her own unique nutritional needs. Add that to the fact that there are so many products to choose from, and you’ve got quite the challenge on your hands. Ever try to compare pet foods? The labels alone are enough to overwhelm even the most knowledgeable pet owner.
What about weight control? Could your pet stand to lose (or gain) a few pounds? Pets that are overweight are at a greater risk of developing a number of serious medical conditions, such as diabetes. Likewise, underweight animals are more susceptible to illness or injury. Do you really know what your pet’s ideal weight range should be?
If you answered no, you’re not alone. The topics of nutrition and weight management can be challenging. What you need is the help of an expert! Let the professionals at Bridge Street Veterinary Hospital work with you to develop the perfect plan for your pet.
Good nutrition begins with a thorough physical exam followed by a detailed health analysis of your pet. We want to gather a clear picture of your companion’s current health, lifestyle, preferences and risk factors. We’ll take into consideration such important factors as age, breed, weight and the existence of any medical problems. Once we’ve developed a nutritional profile, we can then use this information to create a diet that will meet your pet’s unique nutritional needs.
Next, we’ll focus on what your pet’s ideal weight range should be. When we have a goal in mind, we’ll then work with you to come up with a plan that will help your pet lose or gain the extra pounds necessary to help them achieve and maintain that ideal weight. Exercise should be an important part of every animal’s life – even those that are older or that suffer from existing medical conditions. We will help pinpoint what activities would be best for your particular situation and then develop a strategy to incorporate physical activity into your pet’s daily routine.
Finally, we’ll revisit your pet’s plan from time to time to adjust for any changes in their needs. As pets age, their needs begin to shift. For instance, puppies and kittens have nutritional needs that are vastly different than those of adult dogs and cats, and senior animals has special needs of their own. It’s important that we revisit our strategy every so often to ensure that it’s still as effective as it was designed to be, and tweak it accordingly to continue to achieve the best possible results.
Our nutritional counseling and weight management services are designed to help bring out the very best in each animal we serve, and we can do the same for your pet! Let us create a customized diet and exercise plan that will get your companion on the path to achieving optimum health for life!
